Previous studies have suggested that CT examinations of the brain in c
hildren soon after near-drowning incidents are not helpful in predicti
ng clinical outcome and are not necessary. The clinical and CT finding
s of 19 pediatric near-drowning victims were reviewed for correlation
with clinical and neurologic outcome. As expected, a normal initial CT
scan was poorly predictive of outcome, whereas an abnormal CT scan in
the initial 36 h following an immersion incident was associated with
a dismal prognosis. Three children with abnormal initial CT examinatio
ns were identified and all died within 3 days of admission. A CT scan
performed in the immediate near-drowning period, therefore, may be hel
pful in identifying some patients who have sustained severe neurologic
injury.